For Muslims, Ramadan is a month marked by fasting and tarawih prayers. Last year, some broke their fast at Dataran Putrajaya, for a change. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
“WHAT does Ramadan mean to you?” Ask this question to 10 Muslims, and you’d likely receive 10 different answers.
While they may speak of its core values – sacrifice, empathy, self-control and devotion – each one will offer unique meanings and traditions shaped by evolving experiences.
Twenty-three-year-old Nur Iman Khalip, from Kuala Lumpur, admits that her appreciation for Ramadan has deepened with age.
“As a child, it felt like a yearly tradition,” says the retail assistant awaiting her chambering after recently completing her law degree, “but now I understand its values and the benefits of fasting, more profoundly.”
Muhammad Mu’adzz Mohd Yasin, a 24-year-old freelance tour guide from Gombak, offers a thoughtful response: “It’s a time of self-reflection, discipline and gratitude.”
Believing the holy month is a time to strengthen his faith, Mu’adzz begins adjusting his sleeping schedule and daily routine in the days leading up to Ramadan.
“I also make a list of goals, which include improving my Al-Quran recitation, performing more voluntary prayers, and increasing acts of charity,” he adds.
For Siti Hawa Che Tak, 52, Ramadan arrives with mixed emotions.
“Like other Muslims, every year I long for the month to come, as it is a blessed month of love and giving,” she says, “but as a human being, it reminds me of those I have lost.”
The single mother of four from Negri Sembilan has experienced the loss of her parents, mother-in-law and paternal grandmother, all during the month of Ramadan between 2006 and 2024.
“It was our family’s tradition to welcome the holy month by gathering on the eve of Ramadan, or Mantai Day, so that we could eat sahur (pre-dawn meal) and break fast together the following evening,” she recalls.
“When I remember those good times, I just can’t hold back my tears.”
Nevertheless, Siti Hawa pledges to continue the tradition with her children, aged 17 to 26, at her home in Seremban.
Meals that matter
Waking up for sahur is probably the hardest part of the day in Ramadan.
“In my late parents’ household, sahur was a must, not only for the day’s physical sustenance but also to receive Allah’s blessings that descend abundantly at pre-dawn,” Siti Hawa shares. “But it is different now.”
Based on her experience with her children, she says they prefer sleeping, because they say they don’t get enough rest. However, she persists but keeps sahur simple with a light meal for the family.
“I will have nabeez water or dates soaked overnight, while my children prefer fried rice or cereal with milk,” she adds.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Mu’adzz ensures he never misses sahur by setting multiple alarms.
“I also drink lots of water before sleeping to help wake me up,” he says, adding that his go-to sahur meal is rice with fried eggs, dates and water.
Nur Iman, too, struggles to wake up at times.
“I use the five-minute rule; giving myself a short time before finally getting up, while reminding myself of the food and cold drinks waiting for me!” She is lucky to have her aunt, who prepares sahur for the family.
Like most Muslims, iftar, or breaking of fast, is a special time for all three individuals, and home remains the preferred setting.
“It’s a family bonding moment,” says Muhammad Mu’adzz, though he enjoys occasional iftar with friends, especially at the mosque.
What he loves most is visiting the Ramadan bazaar to buy his favourite food, such as murtabak, ayam percik and roti john.
Nur Iman, who has just started temporary work, has yet to experience iftar with colleagues.
“But during university, I once shared nasi dulang with my roommates for iftar at the university mosque. It was such a unique and fun experience,” she recalls.
Still, she prefers breaking fast at home with her family: “It feels more special, and the home-cooked food is definitely cheaper and tastier than what is sold at Ramadan bazaars.”
Siti Hawa also prefers home-cooked meals, although she sometimes indulges her children’s cravings for food only available at the bazaars.
She loves cooking iftar meals with her daughter, who shares her passion.
“By cooking, we can control waste and eat healthier. This year, my two university children are home, so we get to have sahur, iftar and go for tarawih prayers together,” she adds.
Nur Iman Khalip applies a five-minute rule everytime she wakes up for sahur. —NUR IMAN KHALIP
Balancing faith and daily life
The days during the fasting month are long and do not end with the breaking of fast. Another Ramadan practice is the tarawih prayer, performed at night only during this holy month.
Both Muhammad Mu’adzz and Nur Iman make it a point to go to the mosque for tarawih prayers whenever possible, valuing the peaceful atmosphere and the sense of unity among the congregation.
The two young adults find it challenging to balance the demands of daily life with the spiritual focus of Ramadan.
Acknowledging the difficulty of finding the right balance, Nur Iman believes that teamwork makes any burden lighter.
“I am thankful for the support of my family, especially my aunt, who always ensures that there is food on the table for iftar,” she adds.
As a freelance tour guide, Muhammad Mu’adzz has a flexible schedule, but at times, it can be physically demanding.
Siti Hawa says the fasting month simplifies her day as it eliminates the need to think about meal planning during working hours and helps her focus on her daily duties.
“Every day we do the same things; the only difference is that we don’t eat and drink during the day, and we perform tarawih at night in Ramadan,” she says, adding that she normally goes to her neighbourhood surau for the prayers.
Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, discipline, and gratitude for Muhammad Mu’adzz. — MUHAMMAD MU’ADZZ MOHD YASIN
Ramadan traditions
When it comes to celebrating Ramadan with family, friends and neighbours, their experiences vary.
Coming from a big family, Muhammad Mu’adzz says his family usually gather for a big iftar on weekends when everyone is available.
“We cook together and usually share the food with our neighbours and relatives in the area,” he adds.
Nur Iman, on the other hand, says her home is always open for friends and extended family for iftar, even though they don’t have a specific family iftar tradition.
Meanwhile, Siti Hawa recalls the times when she and her siblings would gather at their parents’ house - a tradition that has gradually faded since their passing, leaving her with bittersweet memories.
“On a bright note, the community in my area still practises sharing food they cook with their neighbours,” she says, adding that she has embraced a minimalist lifestyle, cutting down on unnecessary shopping since 2019, when she left her salaried job.
“I now focus only on essentials, prioritising the spiritual aspects of the holy month over material indulgence,” Siti Hawa concludes.
